Escalator hand rail



July ,1 i I H. w. sHoNNARD 1,368,771

ESCALATOR HAND RAIL Filed July 11, 19st INVENTOR ATTORN EY Patented July26, 1932 "rrss ATENT oFFicE HAROLD W. SHONNARD, OF MONTCLAIRL, NEWJERSEY ESCALATOR HAND RAIL Application filed July 11,

Fig. 2 isa sectional elevation on a larger scale, of a portion of theimproved hand rail;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the hand rail shown inFig. 2, together with the support and guide for its upper run;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the rail shown in thepreceding figures, together with a part of one of the end sheaves.

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 3 showing1 the support for the lowerrun of theram Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation of the rail andof a modified form of support for its lower run;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation of a rail ofmodifiedconstruction with a part of a sprocket wheel for supporting and drivingit; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation of a simple form of hand railwhich also embodies this invention.

The rail comprises an endless band 10 of rubber or similar material, theouter per tion of which is constructed to form a convenient hand grip.Embedded in thisband 10 are a plurality of spaced studs 11 which projectthrough the inner fiat surface of a central body portion 12. At eitherside of this body portion 12 the rail is hollowed out, as shown at 13,13, to form clearance spaces. 15 is a flat metallic band which isconstructed with slots 16 through which the studs 11 project. This bandis connected to the rail y means of washers 17 and pins 18.

The support for the upper run for this belt comprises a balustrade 20and a metallic track of the form shown in Fig. 3. aiiixed 1930. Serial110.467322.

to the upper edge thereof. This track comprises a channel-shaped portion21 of sutlicient width to form a clearance for the studs, washers andpins, and outwardly projecting flanges 22 upon which the band 15 runs.The

ends of these flanges are curved, as shown at 23, and bent downwardly toform portions 24 which guide the edges of the band 15.

At the ends of the hand rail are sheaves 30,

a portion of one of which is shown in Fig. 4:. so

The periphery of these sheaves is constructed to form a channebshapedportion 31 with projecting flanges 32 which engage the band 15 andoutwardly projecting rims 34 for guiding the edges of the band.

The under run of the hand rail may be supported on rollers 40, pivotallymounted on brackets 41, as shown in Fig. Or, if desired, the under runof the rail may be supported by such a structure as that shown in Fig.6. This comprises a metallic rail 50, a part of which is constructed toform a clearance channel 51 for the studs 11 and which is extended, asat 52, to embrace the edges of the band 15 and has inturned lips 53under the band 15 to support it.

In the construction shown in Fig. 7 the rail 10A has studs 11A embeddedtherein by means of which a band 15A is connected to the rail. This bandhas equally spaced perfora- B0 tions therein into which the teeth 60 ofsprocket wheels project. The body of the hand rail is grooved, as shownat 61, to clear the sprocket teeth 60.

In Fig. 8 a hand rail 10B of ordinary shape. in cross section, is shown.In this is embedded a'metallic band 70 which is provided withperforations 71 through which the material of the handrail 10B extendscausing a firmer adherence-between the materials of the hand rail and ofthe band.

The invention described herein is capable of being embodied in differentstructures, several modifications of which have been described, and Iintend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material adapted to runon a guide,

the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap the guide and itsouter portion shaped to form a hand grip, and a continuous flexiblemetallic strip afiixed to said body, having direct engagement with saidguide to slidably support said body thereon.

2. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material adapted to runon a guide, the

inner part of the body being recessed to overlap the guide and having anintermediate portion and its outer portion shaped to form a hand grip,studs projecting from said intermediate portion, a continuous flexiblemetallic strip provided with slots registering with, the studs, andmeans for holding said strip onto the studs.

3. A movable hand rail comprising an endless body of flexible resilientmaterial, a continuous flexible metallic strip affixed to said body, anda track upon which said strip runs, said strip directly engaging saidtrack to slidably support said body thereon.

l. A movable hand rail comprising an endless body of flexible resilientmaterial, a continuous flexible metallic strip aflixed to said body, anda metallic track arranged to guide and support said strip, directly.

5. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material adapted to runon a guide, the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap theguide and its outer portion shaped to form a hand grip, a continuousflexible metallic strip aflixed to said body, and a track engageabledirectly by said strip.

(3. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material adapted to runon a guide, the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap theguide and having an intermediate portion and its outer portion shaped toform a hand grip, a continuous flexible Inetallic strip {llfiXGd to saidintermediate portion of the body, and a metallic track arranged to guideand support said strip, directly.

7. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material adapted to runon a guide, the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap theguide and having an intermediafe portion and its outer portion shaped toform a hand grip, studs embedded in said intermediate portion, ametallic strip affixed to said body by said studs, and a metallic trackhaving a central channel-like portion, ledges under spaced portions ofthe strip and guides at the edges of the strip.

8. A movable endless body of flexible resilient material to run on aguide, the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap the guide,the outside of the body being shaped to form a hand grip and a movableflexible continuous metallic strip in direct engagement with said guideto slidably sup port said body thereon.

9. A movable endless body of ,flexible resilient material to run on aguide, the inner part of the body being recessed to overlap the guide,the outside of the body being shaped to form a hand grip and a movableflexible metallic strip substantially in uninterrupted direct engagementWith said guide to slidably support said body thereon 10. A movable handrail comprising an endless body of flexible resilient material, acontinuous flexible metallic strip associated with said body, andmeans-in direct movable contact with said strip for supporting the stripand the bod HARSLD W. SHONNARD.

